Good service keeps business afloat
BEFORE opening Ethnic Art and Jewellery at the Victoria Street Market, Amee Ramkissoon worked in other curio shops.
“I gathered all the experience I could until I was finally ready to start my own business in 2010,” said Ramkissoon.
The 53 year old of Chatsworth sells products that are made in South Africa and Africa.
“Many of our items are made by elderly people from the local villages. They provide us with traditional items such as beadwork, hats and skirts.
“Our other suppliers are from countries including Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Mozambique and Tanzania. They supply us with shells and Fabergé eggs as well as other items.”
To diversify her business, she started selling gemstones a few months after opening the shop.
“I sell crystals like amethyst, lapis lazuli, and rose quartz. They each have their significant healing energies. For instance, amethyst relieves stress and anxiety and helps with headaches and fatigue. The lapis lazuli heals the body, mind, and spirit, and rose quartz promotes love, self-love, friendship and feelings of peace.” She said they also sold mud cloths and potato prints.
“Mud cloths are handmade Malian cotton fabrics that are traditionally dyed with fermented mud, while the potato prints are designed using the flesh of cut potatoes on fabric.
“Being Indian, I also like to keep a little bit of Indian goods. So I have a bit of my culture as well as the local culture. I stock Indian-designed necklaces and earrings that are part of my culture.”
Ramkissoon said she chose the Victoria Street Market because it was a business hub.
“Initially, this was the place our forefathers started selling from when they came to South Africa, so I wanted to continue the tradition. Later, other race groups began businesses, and it became a melting pot of different cultures.”
The mother of three said her children used to work in the shop when they were of schoolgoing age.
“My eldest son is a lawyer, and the second is an electrical engineer. My daughter is in marketing. They all live in Johannesburg. Even though they have each had some sort of experience in
the shop, I wanted them to spread their wings and venture out to do what they liked.”
Ramkissoon said business had been successful in the past.
“There were between five and 10 busloads of tourists arriving a day, but since the Covid-19 lockdown and restrictions, things have slowed down, and we have lost both local and international customers. We are lucky if we get one busload of tourists a day.
“Word of mouth is what has kept my business afloat. If a customer receives great assistance, they will share their experience with their friends and family and they will come to the shop, too.”